List of U.S. National Mints
Philadelphia Mint
Founded 1792
In 1792, the American Revolution was only nine years in the past. The United States of America was still a brand-new country, an idea, and an ideal. A pressing concern, we needed a national currency. At the time, Philadelphia was our nation’s capital, so the mint was built there, becoming the first federal building erected under the Constitution. Read more about the Philadelphia Mint
New Orleans Mint
Founded 1835
It was the year 1835. Large quantities of gold were being shipped overland to the east, only to be waylaid by bandits en route. So the U.S. Congress, in a moment of wisdom, declared that branch mints be established in three southern cities, including the grand dame herself: New Orleans. Read more about the New Orleans Mint
Carson City Mint
Founded 1863
In 1857, the brothers Ethan and Hosea Grosh discovered the richest silver deposit in American history but died before they could record their claims. When the news of silver went public, a rush of miners flooded the area. Massive quantities of silver necessitated a mint, and at the height of the boom, the Carson City Mint was built to turn the silver into coins. Read more about the Carson City Mint
San Francisco Mint
Founded 1874
Imagine you’re the U.S. Mint in 1849. The California Gold Rush is in full swing. Enormous quantities of gold are flooding California and your only way to coin it is to send it on a perilous journey to Philadelphia and then transport the coins back. What do you do? Read more about the San Francisco Mint
Denver Mint
Founded 1897
When gold was found in Colorado in 1858, the population exploded with miners, merchants, and settlers. An estimated 100,000 people participated in the wild rush for gold that lasted a brief three years—but was, many believe, the largest gold rush in American history. With Denver awash in gold at that time, a mint was needed. Read more about the Denver Mint
